Every Little bit Helps: Taking Giving to the Next Level

Meghan Gage, a young female business owner has incorporated philanthropic values into her business Precious Paw Prints Jewelry. She supports six rescues, shelters and other animal related organizations via a premier network of notable businesses. So far 10 businesses are partnered country wide with Precious Paw Prints Jewelry.

Meghan Leah Gage has followed many rescues, shelters and animal advocate organizations over the years that post hundreds of pictures daily on social media feeds of dogs and cats in need of rescuing or a forever home. Most of these animals sit in cement slab cages staring disheartenedly up at the camera. On the pictures posted are big red letters “to be destroyed” or “pet on death row”. Other pictures bring attention to dogs with burns, collars embedded in pussy infected skin and cats with missing eyes or kittens who are partially skinned from being thrown from a car onto a highway. Knowing every little bit helps, Gage shares the pictures on her newsfeed wishing she could cuddle and save each one of these loving pets. She does not turn a blind eye and hopes that someday as a veterinarian she can save as many of these animals in the hopes that they will find loving, caring homes.

Gage decided when she was seven that she wanted to be a veterinarian. It was one of the most natural choices she has made. It has been a constant that has kept her going, toward what she has undoubtedly identified as her purpose and passion.

Over the last 16 years she has focused on aiding the animal community any way she can. Starting as a young child with little monetary funds she donated her time instead by volunteering her summers to the Berks Humane League in Reading Pennsylvania. Here she helped the staff to clean and feed the cats and kittens each day. She was able to hold and cuddle each one as she put them back in their temporary homes. She remembers once coming across a diluted calico named Delilah who had been at the shelter for over 30 days. Unfortunately this was the cut off period before an animal was euthanized by the shelter. As much as she wanted to take her home, she knew she couldn’t so Gage gave Delilah just a bit more love hoping she would pass on in peace. It wasn’t always so sad. Gage knew showing each person who walked in, a cat in need was just the little bit that could help another get adopted.

During the holidays, Gage would bake homemade heart shaped treats for the dogs staying at the Lancaster Humane League and individually handing them to each dog. The wiggly butts and happy faces always left her feeling happy inside knowing even just for a second these dogs were elated! Every bit helps. Just knowing that a simple little treat made each of those puppies’ day just for a bit was enough for her.

Today this caring and passionate mentality has prevailed in Gage’s personal and professional life. Gage owns a one-woman business entitled Precious Paw Prints Jewelry (affectionately known as P3) creating unique metal creations featuring her customers’ pets in gold, .999 fine silver, bronze, copper and steel. She designs a wide range of medallions, lockets, key chains and custom jewelry pieces that utilize a pet’s photographic image, paw prints, ashes, hair and other trinkets. The young business started a little over a year ago when Gage lost her 15 year old family cat Sebastion to kidney failure. All thanks to Sebastion, Gage was inspired to create a business that can help other owners commemorate their pets both present and passed on like she has for her family with Sebastion.

Through volunteering, support and donations Gage is able to continue contributing to the animal community. P3 partners with businesses such as GiggyBites Bakery and Marketplace, Eagles Peak Animal Clinic and Dashing Dogs Grooming Studio to unite under the common cause of helping animals in any way possible. By ordering from Precious Paw Prints Jewelry via these locations 10% of the proceeds is donated to the organization of the locations choice. Although Gage has acquired a hefty amount of debt from her undergraduate career she still supports and donates to six organizations that benefit animal welfare including LaMancha Animal Rescue, Grey Muzzle at Animal Rescue League, Common Sense for Animals and many others.

This year P3 will be donating to these organizations thanks to the help of her displayers. She believes every little bit helps these organizations continue doing what they do for the animals in their care. Her goal is to increase the amount of organizations P3 supports by at least another 10 in the next year. As a striving veterinarian Gage believes in supporting and bettering all aspects of the animal community.

Gage also chose to support The Cerebral Palsy Foundation of San Diego (California). Ready Stamps, the company that supplies all of P3’s pet image and paw print rubber stamps that customers receive with their orders, employs individuals with cerebral palsy. Their primary mission is “to advance the independence, productivity, and full citizenship of people affected by cerebral palsy and other disabilities.” Gage feels that the opportunity to also help other people in need is priceless as well even if it goes outside of the animal realm.

23 year old Meghan Gage is a recent graduate of Albright College with a bachelors degree in Psycho-Biology Pre-Vet as well as an artist, entrepreneur and aspiring veterinarian.

For a list of businesses that support Precious Paw Prints Jewelry, a list of the organizations that receive donations or to jump in on the action check out www.PreciousPawPrintsJewelry.com

#philanthropy #animalactivist #donations